Boat hull stabilizer

ABSTRACT

A boat hull including a pair of opposite side longitudinal bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the center longitudinal keel portion of the hull. The opposite side bottom surfaces include rearwardly and outwardly inclined elongated generally diagonal band-type zones converging forwardly toward said keel portion at a point disposed forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the normal waterline of the hull and the zones, in longitudinal cross-sectional shape define sharply acute wedge-shaped lift surfaces rearwardly and downwardly inclined relative to the side bottom surfaces disposed forward and rearward of the band-shaped zones, the lift surfaces serving to increase the stability of the boat hull, reduce the time required for the hull to reach a planing speed and allowing the boat hull to plane at lower speeds as well as support additional weight in the forward portion of the hull while moving at planing speed.

United States Patent [191 Collier Apr. 9, 1974 1 1 BOAT HULL STABILIZER [76] Inventor: Robert B. Collier, 31 Lynwood Dr.,

Bradenton, Fla. 33505 [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 348,056

Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson 5 7] ABSTRACT A boat hull including a pair of opposite side longitudinal bottom surfaces on opposite sides of the center longitudinal keel portion of the hull. The opposite side bottom surfaces include rearwardly and outwardly inclined elongated generally diagonal band-type zones converging forwardly toward said keel portion at a point disposed forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the normal waterline of the hull and the zones, in longitudinal cross-sectional shape define sharply acute wedge-shaped lift surfaces rearwardly and downwardly inclined relative to the side bottom surfaces disposed forward and rearward of the band-shaped zones, the lift surfaces serving to increase the stability of the boat hull, reduce the time required for the bull to reach a planing speed and allowing the boat hull to plane at lower speeds as well as support additional weight in the forward portion of the hull while moving at planing speed.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BOAT HULL STABILIZER The main object of this invention is to'provide a hull configuration which will afford greater stability when executing turns.

Another object of this invention is to provide a boat hull configuration in accordadance with the preceding object and which will enable the boat hull to plane at lower speeds.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a boat hull which will be able to reach planing speeds more quickly and with less rise of the bow end of the hull when accelerating from low speed to planing speeds.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a boat hull including riding characteristics that will allow the forward portion of the hull to carry a greater load while the hull is moving at planing speeds.

A final object of this invention is to provide a boat hull configuration which may be readily incorporated into substantially all hull constructions during their manufacture and which will conform'to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and automatic in operation so as toprovide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a boat hull .constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the boat hull illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the boat hull; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIG. 1. I

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral generallydesignates the boat hull of the instant invention. The boat hull 10, as may be seen from FIGS. land 3 of the drawings, is of the V-type, although not necessarily, including a lower central longitudinally extending keel 12 and upwardly and out- .wardly inclined opposite side bottom surfaces 14 and an QQVZHWaL lY. inclined les than. iQsss sss Flame.

to the corresponding forward and rearward bottom surfaces. However, the surface 24 may be slightly concave. Further, it will be noted 'that the forward and rearward bottom surfaces associated with each lift surface 24 are coextensive, although not necessarily, and it may also be noted from FIG. 4 of the drawings that the lift bottom surfaces 24 are formed integrally with the corresponding forward and rearward side bottom surface portions.

It will'also be noted from FIG. 1 of the drawings that the width of each of the zones 18 and 20, measured along a line transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the zone, gradually increases from the forward end of the zone to the rear end thereof. However, the width of each of the zones 18 and 20, measured along a bias line paralleling the keel l2, gradually increases from the forward end of each zone 20 to the mid-portion thereof and then gradually decreases toward the rear end of the corresponding zone. Still further, from FIG. 1 of the drawings it will be seen that each of the zones 18 and 20 extends along a generally rearwardly and outwardly inclined diagonal line and that each zone 18 and 20 is modified S-shape in plan.

The rear ends of the zones terminate in the rearward third of the hull 10 and the forward ends of the zones 18 and 20 terminate forward of the longitudinal midpoint of the normal waterline extent of the hull 12.

The lift surfaces may be utilized on modified V-hulls as well as deep V-hulls and also hulls of different configuration such as, flat, round bottom and cathedral,

etc. The lift surfaces function not only to increase the stability of the hull when making a turn and reduce the tendency of a V-hull to dig in while executing a sharp turn, but also enables the boat hull to reach a planing speed faster and to plane at lower speeds. Further, the stabilizing lift surfaces 24 will also reduce the tendency of the boat hull to lean into the wind while planing.

As is commonly known, a deep V-hull design will not carry an appreciable load in a forward position and thus the lift surfaces 24, whose forward ends enable a deep V-hull to be loaded more heavily at the forward end, will be of considerable benefit when utilized on deep V-hulls of the bow rider design.

The lift surfaces are used on hulls other than deep V- hulls and modified V-hulls, the zones thereof corresponding to the zones 18 and 20 will still be inclined rearwardly and outwardly relative to the keels of such other hulls and be generally modified S-shaped in plan. Further, the lift surfaces thereof will be acutely inclined relative to the adjacent bottom surfaces. Still further, the adjacent forward and rearward bottom surfaces can, but need not, be coextensive.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A boat hull including a lower longitudinal keel and a pair of opposite side longitudinal bottom surfaces directed upwardly and outwardly away from said keel, said opposite side bottom surfaces including rearwardly and outwardly inclined elongated generally diagonal band-type zones converging forwardly toward said keel at a point disposed forward of the longitudinal midpoint of the normal waterline of said hull and including rearward ends disposed rearward of said mid-point, said zones, in longitudinal cross-sectional shape, each defining a sharply acute wedge shaped lift surface rearwardly and downwardly inclined relative to the longitudinal extent of the side bottom surface portions disposed forward and rearward of said zones.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the corresponding ends of said zones are aligned transversely of said hull.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal width of said zones, measured on a bias line paralleling said keel gradually, increases from the forward ends of said zones to the approximate longitudinal midportions of said zones and thereafter decreases from mid-portions to the rearmost ends of said zones.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said longitudidnal width of the rear ends of said zones is considerably greater than the longitudinal width of the forward end portions of said zones.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wedge shaped lift surfaces are formed integrally with said hull bottom surfaces.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said lift surfaces are inclined less than thirty degrees relative to the bottom surface portions on opposite sides of said zones.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface portions forward and rearward of each of said zones are coextensive.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the width of each of said zones, measured at right angles relative to the longitudinal centerline, gradually increases from the forwardmost end to the rearmost end thereof.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the longitudinal width of said zones, measured on a bias line paralleling said keel gradually, increases from the forward ends of said zones to the approximate longitudinal midportions of said zones and thereafter decreases from said mid-portions to the rearmost ends of said zones.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the bottom surface portions forward and rearward of each of said zones are coextensive. 

1. A boat hull including a lower longitudinal keel and a pair of opposite side longitudinal bottom surfaces directed upwardly and outwardly away from said keel, said opposite side bottom surfaces including rearwardly and outwardly inclined elongated generally diagonal band-type zones converging forwardly toward said keel at a point disposed forward of the longitudinal mid-point of the normal waterline of said hull and including rearward ends disposed rearward of said mid-point, said zones, in longitudinal cross-sectional shape, each defining a sharply acute wedge shaped lift surface rearwardly and downwardly inclined relative to the longitudinal extent of the side bottom surface portions disposed forward and rearward of said zones.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the corresponding ends of said zones are aligned transversely of said hull.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal width of said zones, measured on a bias line paralleling said keel gradually, increases from the forward ends of said zones to the approximate longitudinal mid-portions of said zones and thereafter decreases from mid-portions to the rearmost ends of said zones.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said longitudidnal width of the rear ends of said zones is considerably greater than the longitudinal width of the forward end portions of said zones.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wedge shaped lift surfaces are formed integrally with said hull bottom surfaces.
 6. The combination of claim 1 wherein said lift surfaces are inclined less than thirty degrees relative to the bottom surface portions on opposite sides of said zones.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface portions forward and rearward of each of said zones are coextensive.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein the width of each of said zones, measured at right angles relative to the longitudinal centerline, gradually increases from the forwardmost end to the rearmost end thereof.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the longitudinal width of said zones, measured on a bias line paralleling said keel gradually, increases from the forward ends of said zones to the approximate longitudinal mid-portions of said zones and thereafter decreases from said mid-portions to the rearmost ends of said zones.
 10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the bottom surface portions forward and rearward of each of said zones are coextensive. 